Programme aims to enhance team members’ knowledge of problem gaming and awareness of responsible gaming

The elite programme is part of the company’s effort to enhance team members’ knowledge of problem gaming and awareness of the importance of responsible gaming. Certificates issued by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) were presented to nearly 80 participating team members, who came from the gaming operations, security and human resources departments to attend one of two training sessions Aug. 8-9.

The Responsible Gaming Team Training Programme First was launched in 2013, and is a global initiative of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. It features new and enhanced elements each year, and demonstrates Sands China’s ongoing commitment to responsible gaming in Macao. It is also part of the company’s efforts to support the measures introduced by the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). To date, over 360 participants have attended training sessions, and more than 1,700 hours of training have been provided through the annual campaign.

“Each year, this training programme helps our team members gain and strengthen a practical set of skills and knowledge in the important area of responsible gaming,” said Sean McCreery, senior vice president of table games for Sands China Ltd. “Minimising the social impact of problem gaming and contributing to the quality of life in Macao is very important to Sands China, and this responsible gaming ambassador training programme is one of our successful efforts to that end. It is also an important part of the company’s support of the DICJ’s responsible gaming measures.”

The programme is delivered by Professor Bo J. Bernhard, executive director of the UNLV International Gaming Institute, along with local scholar Prof. Davis Fong, and senior counsellors from responsible gaming service provider Sheng Kung Hui (SKH) Macau Social Services Coordination Office. Attendees, including gaming managers, security managers and human resources trainers, were educated on the behaviours of problem gamblers, how to provide appropriate information and assistance on responsible gaming, and the application procedures and particulars of the self-exclusion and third-party exclusion programmes. They also participated in role-play scenarios, and learned more about the gaming counselling service provided by SKH – supporting the government’s efforts to further promote the 24-hour counselling hotline.

This year’s programme included the increased participation of Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office, which teaches crisis management and intervention skills. As a result, training hours were extended to eight, up from the previous year’s four-hour sessions.

“This was my fourth time participating in the training, and I feel more confident in my skills each year,” said Martin Ieong, one of the participants. “The programme is really presented quite well, and helps me be able to serve our guests better.”

Another participant said: “This was my first time taking this training course and I can already tell that it will be really useful in my work on the gaming floor. It’s important for gaming to be carried out responsibly in Macao, and I’m glad that I can do my part to help make that happen.”

Sands China remains committed to the personal well-being of its guests and recognises the importance of responsible gaming to the Macao community. Sands China launched a self-exclusion programme in 2004, and was a pioneer in Macao in establishing its comprehensive responsible gaming programme in 2007, with the goals of contributing to the continuous development of the Macao community, bearing corporate responsibility in addressing social issues and developing an environment and a culture of responsible gaming in Macao. The company also regularly engages in offering responsible gaming training for team members, and in academic research and social activities, and posts responsible gaming information throughout all its properties, in both patron and back-of-house areas, and all team members receive mandatory responsible gaming training as part of their orientation programme upon joining the company. In 2011, Sands China conducted a company-wide refresher training, and also held its first Education Week, aiming to gauge team members’ awareness of responsible gaming and problem gaming. Since 2009, the company has been an annual participant in responsible gaming activities organised by the Macau Social Welfare Bureau, DICJ and the University of Macau.

In addition, Sands China has established long-term cooperation with local non-profit organisations and academic institutions to help minimise the social impact of problem gaming. Since 2006, the company has contributed over MOP 3.95 million to various organisations as part of its ongoing support of responsible gaming initiatives in Macao.

Photo caption: Team members from various Sands China properties participate in a training session Monday and Tuesday at the company’s Responsible Gaming Team Training Programme at The Venetian Macao.

Sands China Ltd. (HKEx: 1928, Sands China or the Company) is a Cayman Islands registered company and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio is comprised of The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza™ Macao and Sands® Cotai Central. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s integrated resorts contain a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities, a wide range of restaurants, shopping malls, world-class entertainment at the Cotai Arena and The Venetian Theatre, and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s property development projects on Cotai have the goal of transforming it into Asia’s premier entertainment and business destination. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).